Archive for March, 2008|Monthly archive page
Islamic Awareness Week: Creating Da’wah
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: American-Muslim identity, Events, flying while Muslim, hijab, Hijabi for a Day, Islamic Awareness Week, Lolla Mohammed Nur, prophets, Science and Islam, University of Minnesota, women in Islam
Comments (4) By Lolla Mohammed Nur, Engage Minnesota
There is little doubt that many Minnesotans misunderstand Islam and the Muslim community. Misconceptions of Islam, however, did not arise out of empty air; the actions of a radical few have led people to see Islam as a barbaric religion. Although the frustration of “radicals” may be understood, there certainly are more peaceful ways of expressing one’s Islamic beliefs to the non-Muslim community, namely through spreading knowledge (da’wah).
Islamic Awareness Week is an example of such peaceful expression. The week includes a range of activities, from a simulation of “flying while Muslim” to a lecture on “Science in Islam.” The 2008 event is set to take place March 31 through April 4, and is sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Muslim Student Association and Al-Madinah Cultural Center. Read more »
What Are You Going to Do?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: arab, Blaine dairy bombing, cair, discrimination, Emily Bright, FBI, hate crime, Minnesota, Mohamed Ismail
Comments (1) By Emily K. Bright, Engage Minnesota
It’s not the first time you’ve been a victim of a hate crime, nor is it the last. It’s 8:30 on a winter evening, and you’re closing up your store. The entrance door is locked, half the lights are off, and you’re mopping at the far end of the room when three men barge in the exit door as though they mean to rob you. Two of the men have their hooded backs to you. One of them you can see. He’s over six feet tall, with short reddish blonde hair and a goatee. You observe this in the moment before he stands and hurls a glass bottle directly at you. You duck. It slams into the wall and explodes into flames. All around you, you hear the sound of glass exploding. The store fills with smoke in seconds. You can’t tell if the men are still there and if they’re waiting for you, but you have to get out. You race through your burning store and out to the road. You wave your arms until a woman stops and calls 911 for you. Read more »
Look Beyond Those Who Race Ahead and Cry
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Arabs, dissent, Fedwa Wazwaz, Gaza, House Resolution 951, Israel, Jerusalem, Palestine, peace, Ron Paul, West Bank
Comments (2) By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
On March 5th, House Resolution 951, which condemned Palestinians for rocket fire at Israel, passed in a vote of 404 to 1.
The lone voice of dissent was that of Congressman Ron Paul, who rose against the resolution, saying it was unfair and inflammatory in its condemnation only of Palestinian attacks. What was alarming was that all Minnesota Congresspeople voted in favor.
I want to openly and publicly ask these Minnesota Congresspeople some questions.
Read more »
Basimah Hasan: Changing Images Every Friday at 4
Filed under: Islam, Islamophobia | Tags: Basimah Hasan, dawah, Events, Islam, Islamic View, Islamophobia, Marcia Lynx Qualey, Minneapolis, Minnesota media, Muslim poetry, Muslims, poetry, self-defense, stereotypes, television
Comments (1) Talk-Show Host Aims to Correct Distorted Picture of Muslims and Islam
By Marcia Lynx Qualey, Engage Minnesota
It was 1998 when Basimah Hasan left her hometown of Chicago for Minneapolis.
In the Twin Cities, she attended nursing school and began her career at North Memorial Hospital. She says that there is a “big difference” between the Minneapolis and Chicago Muslim communities.
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TV Show:
“Islamic View”
Airtime:
4 p.m. Fridays
Time-Warner cable Ch. 16
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“[There are] more Muslims in Chicago, and they’re more active. Here, everyone seems to be in their own ethnic groups. You don’t see a lot of activities going on, versus in Chicago.”
But, if there’s not enough activity, Hasan (pictured above) is not one to sit back and wait for someone else to start it up. The nurse, talk-show host, screenwriter, community activist, and producer is stirring up all sorts of action.
Through her nonprofit Hasan Publications Dawah Center, Hasan launched the “Islamic View.” The talk show aims not just to reach the Muslim community, but, more importantly, to reach non-Muslims with positive stories about Islam.
Why television?
“It’s images,” she says. “This is where we get our information from.”
Read more »
The Disease of Racism — Curable
By Tamim Saidi, Engage Minnesota
Even a quick and cursory review of Islamic teachings and a quick visit to local mosques prove that Islam condemns racism and tribalism and promotes equality and brotherhood of humankind. This equality of humankind in front of God has attracted many people to Islam, including Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and countless others.
Read more »
Newsflash, Tina Fey: Muslim is the New Black!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Islamophobia, McCain, Obama, Ramla Bile, turban
Comments (5) By Ramla Bile, Engage Minnesota
The mudslinging has reached the level of flagrant Islamophobia. In the past few months, I have seen my faith reduced to a smear tactic.
I witnessed political pundits attempt to capitalize on the public’s misconceptions about Islam and Muslims to delegitimize another candidate. The RNC and McCain repeatedly apologized over some “disparaging remarks” made by their supporters, primarily regarding the usage of the name Hussein, Obama’s middle name. An analyst on MSNBC’s “Hardball” even said, “Unfortunately, his middle name is Hussein,” as if there is something inherently tragic or wrong with having a Semitic name. A rather alarmist Rep. Steve King of Iowa recently said that if Obama is elected, Al-Qaida would be dancing in the streets.
We are witnessing the rejection of anything from or perceived to be from the broader Islamic world—even when they have no connection to Islam, the religion.
Learn the Process, Join ‘Muslim Day at the Capitol’
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Democracy, Events, Keith Ellison, Marcia Lynx Qualey, Minnesota, Muslim American Society of Minnesota, Muslim Day at the Capitol, Muslims, Political Notebook, State Legislators, Thasneem Ahmed
Comments (1) By Thasneem Ahmed and Marcia Lynx Qualey, Engage Minnesota
Many, perhaps most, of us want to make our voices heard. We want to affect the political process, but may not know how or where to begin. Is it enough to phone in our opinions? To send an email? What is the best way to communicate with our legislators? Many Minnesotans, perhaps, could use a “beginner’s guide” to political advocacy.
The fourth annual Muslim Day at the Capitol, scheduled for Tuesday, March 18 at the Capitol Building in St. Paul, provides just such a guide.
Thasneem Ahmed was able to attend last year’s Day at the Capitol (pictured above), and says: “It was wonderful to hear our representatives speak to the Muslim community, and to realize that we are all working on the same side—the side of making Minnesota a better place for all of its citizens.”
Any Minnesotan—Muslim or non-Muslim, beginner or seasoned advocate—is welcome to show up at the Capitol on Tuesday at 9 a.m., to participate and to learn. Read more »
Gaza’s humanitarian nightmare: A call for help
We are passing along this humanitarian appeal on behalf of the besieged people of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian-Minnesotans interested in writing about the situation are welcome to contact us at info@engagemn.com.
Palestinians need your help and support
Please help us to help them; they are in real need of our support.
Please donate: http://www.islamic-relief.com/submenu/Appeal/gaza_strip_appeal.html
